Hamas to free more hostages for release of Palestinians in 2nd truce swap
CBC
Hamas was expected to swap more of its hostages Saturday for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons on the second day of a ceasefire that has allowed critical humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and given civilians their first respite after seven weeks.
On the first day of the four-day ceasefire, Hamas released 24 of the about 240 hostages taken during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians detained in prison. Those freed from captivity in Gaza were 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals and a citizen of the Philippines.
The families of hostages expressed mixed emotions, fearing for those left behind.
"I'm not dead, I'm not dead," Thai farm worker Vetoon Phoome told his family, who thought he had been killed in the Hamas attack seven weeks ago, according to his sister, Roongarun Wichagern.
She told Reuters from her home in northeastern Thailand that her 33-year-old brother's survival was a "miracle."
Thailand said 20 of its nationals remain captive, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin urging their release "as soon as possible" in a post on social media.
A source briefed on the negotiations said the Thai release was unrelated to the truce deal with Israel and followed a separate track of talks with Hamas mediated by Egypt and Qatar.
Under the agreement, Hamas will release one Israeli hostage for every three Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Israel's Prison Service said Saturday it was preparing 42 Palestinians for release, suggesting Hamas would release 14 Israeli hostages. There has been no official Israeli announcement on the number of hostages to be freed Saturday, though Hamas handed a list of names to the authorities late Friday.
It was not immediately clear how many non-Israeli captives may also be released.
During the four days, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel will release 150 Palestinians, all women and minors.
Israel has said the truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed — something U.S. President Joe Biden said he hoped would come to pass.
"I'm excited for the families who today are going to hug their loved ones," Shelly Shem Tov, the mother of Omer Shem Tov, 21, said in an interview with Israel's Channel 12, although he was not among those released on Friday.
"I am jealous. And I am sad. Mostly sad that Omer is still not coming home."
After nightfall Friday, a line of ambulances emerged from Gaza through the Rafah Crossing into Egypt carrying the freed hostages. The freed Israelis included nine women and four children aged nine and under.
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